Vol. 568 No. 1
375 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the current stage of development of the plans for a national centre of excellence for the education of the visually impaired; and his assessment of the need to develop services for impaired persons who have additional disabilities. [15814/03]
391 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the initiatives he has undertaken to provide a national centre for the visually impaired; if he has allocated funds to a national centre being built; the studies which have been completed regarding the national centre being built and such services being provided for visually impaired and blind children nationally; if such a centre can be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15944/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 391 together.
Arising from the report of a planning group, which was established to consider proposals for the development of a national centre for the visually impaired, my Department engaged a project team to consider an overall development strategy for the implementation of the planning group's report. The report of the project team was presented to my Department towards the end of 2002.
Having given careful consideration to the matter, I decided in April 2003 that the national centre as proposed should not proceed, having regard to the low and declining pupil numbers in the schools for the visually impaired and the development costs, estimated to be in excess of €30 million. However, my Department is willing to explore with the school authorities concerned how aspects of the proposed centre, including provision for children with additional disabilities, could be developed, in the context of available resources.
